By Chris Betros

Arts & Culture Dec. 19, 2011 - 05:31AM JST ( 8 )

TOKYO —

There are two things that American movie star Zac Efron emphasized over and over during his visit to Tokyo last week—he loves Michelle Pfeiffer, with whom he appears in the romantic comedy (or rom-com, as they call it in Hollywood these days) “New Year’s Eve,” and you only live once (which the tattoo YOLO on his hand signifies).

Efron, 24, who has developed a youthful following in Japan since he appeared in the “High School Musical” films, was here to promote “New Year’s Eve,” which opens nationwide on Dec 23. According to the film’s distributor, more than 20,000 applications were received for the 600 seats available at the Japan premiere of “New Year’s Eve” last week.

Sporting a dark suit, blue T-shirt and mismatched blue socks, Efron—making his 4th visit to Japan—was laid back as he discussed working with director Garry Marshall and an ensemble cast that includes Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Hillary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alyssa Milano, Jon Bon Jovi, Katherine Heigl, John Lithgow and Ashton Kutcher. 

Marshall’s film—a carbon copy of his 2010 all-star “Valentine’s Day”—follows several couples and singles whose lives intertwine over the course of New Year’s Eve in New York. Pfeiffer, 53, plays a spinster who works at a record company. She quits her dead-end job and asks a bike messenger (Efron) to help her fulfill her New Year resolutions in exchange for some hard-to-get concert tickets.

Naturally, as the evening progresses, the sparks fly between the couple as they end up in Times Square to watch the ball drop.

“I’ve had a crush on Michelle ever since I saw her in ‘Hairspray,’” Efron said. “She actually called me up and asked if I’d like to be in the film. That was the best phone call I have ever received, but I was so nervous.”

Being from California, Efron said filming the scene in Times Square was unreal. “I’ve seen it many times on TV but had never been there. Times Square is like the epicenter for all New Year’s Eve parties.”

However, the big kiss scene with Pfeiffer wasn’t easy, Efron said. “There was all this confetti dropping down. Before we kissed, some of it got in my mouth and I had to spit it out before I could plant a kiss on Michelle.”

Efron said he hopes the message of “New Year’s Eve” will resonate with the people of Japan, considering the tough year everyone here has had. “It’s about not dwelling on the past—that is out of our control. If there is someone you need to forgive or give a second chance to, then do it. It’s about having hope” he said.